On the afternoon of June 23, a serious traffic accident involving international passenger transport occurred on one of the highways in the Khmelnytskyi region. A tourist bus traveling on a route from Kyiv to Burgas left the road and overturned into a ditch.
The accident happened around 16:40 on the N-03 highway, near the village of Shatava in the Makivka community of the Kamianets-Podilskyi district. According to preliminary police data, the 46-year-old driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the rollover.
Rescue operation and assistance to the injured
At the time of the incident, there were 54 passengers and a relief driver on board. Law enforcement officers, rescuers, and medical personnel promptly arrived at the scene. Specialists are currently continuing their work: providing necessary assistance to the injured and documenting the circumstances of the incident. The exact number of people injured is being determined during the investigation.
Criminal proceedings and consequences for the driver
Regarding the accident, a decision is being made on opening criminal proceedings under Article 286 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of production safety rules or equipment/transport operation rules). This means that the driver's actions will be thoroughly examined for negligence or regulatory violations.
This incident has once again brought to the forefront the discussion on measures to impact drivers who systematically violate traffic rules. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is considering the possibility of tightening sanctions. According to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Igor Klymenko, future measures may include the confiscation of driver's licenses, temporary restriction of driving rights, or the requirement to retake exams. Sanctions will depend not only on the number of violations but also on their severity.